Container fabricating machine



May 7, 1946. c. z. MONROE CONTAINER FABRIGATING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet l Ema/who e 6% yMr walling E g \v y 7, 1946. c. z. MONROE 2,399,934

CONTAINER FABRICATING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l I i a a? May 7, 1946. c. z. MONROE CONTAINER FABRIGATING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 1946. c. z. MONROE 2,399,934

CONTAINER FABRI CATING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 7, 1946 CONTAINER FABRICATING MACHINE Charles Z; Monroe, Detroit, Mich.. assignor to The American Paper Bottle Company, Toledo,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 4, 1943, Serial No. 485,655

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to apparatus for fabricating paper containers and particularly to apparatus designed and intended to be used in the squaring out of collapsed tubular paper blanks as a step preparatory to folding the end flaps of such blanks to effect the closure of the ends thereof.

In my pending application, Serial No. 340,358, filed June 13, 1940, there is disclosed a container fabricating machine provided with means for withdrawing, from apack of collapsed tubular paper container blanks, that blank whichis at the end of the pack, advancing the collapsed blank thus withdrawn in such manner that it contacts with stationary devicesin the nature of abutments' which cause: the container to open by flexing the parallel elongated scored portions which define the hinge-like connections between the several panels, and thereafter placing the squared-out blank in a chute through which it may be moved and from which it may pass onto a mandrel, there to be subjected to the end flap folding operation which next occurs. The present invention comprises animprovement upon the container fabricating machines of my prior application and embodies a number of features of construction whichftaken together, considerably facilitate the squaring out operation, the improved mechanism hereinafter to be described in detail being also simpler, less expensive and more rapid in its operation than other and earlier devices which have been suggested or used as means for squaring out tubular container blanks.

By way of example oneembodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying draw ings in which: i

Figure 1 is a top plan view of portion of an automatic paper container fabricating machine, including the means for supportinga pack of col lapsed tubular blanks and the improved mechanism for removing blanks singly from the end of the pack, squaring them out, and delivering them to a chute or other receiving means;

Figure 2 is a side view of the delivery end of the magazine for retaining the tubular blanks and of the tubular blank withdrawing and advancing means; n n

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4 of Figure 3, on a slightly reducedscale;

Figure 5 is a section on line on a somewhat enlarged scale;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing certain of the movable parts of the mechanism in different positions;

55 of Figure 3 V by being bowed and drawn forwardly between the i Figure 7 is a section Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view showing a portion ,of the container blank advancing means and portions of the stationary means which the blank is caused to engage to effect the squaring-out operation, the container advancing means being shown in several successive dotted lines and an advancing container being likewise indicated in several positions in the same manner; i

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Figure 1;

Figures 10 to 15, inclusive, are of diagrammatic nature to show in succession the several positions occupied b the blank-engaging and advancing means in effecting the squaring-out and delivery of a blank and in returning to original position preparatory to a further cycle of operations; and

Figure 16 is a, perspective view of the squaredout blank, the end product of the novel mechanism.

The magazine for supporting in pack formation a plurality of collapsed tubular blanks is indicated at M in the drawings. magazine M may vary widely but that which is shown is found to have a number of advantages over'others heretofore made use of for this purpose( The pack is indicated at B and comprises a considerable number of individual collapsed blanks, each vertically disposed and closely engaged by the blanks to either side, the pack extending horizontall from the pack advancing member (0 to the series of pack retainers ll,

these retainers preferabl comprising disc-like parts rigidly secured upon the ends of the several horizontally etxending pack retaining rails I 2, the inner edges of the pack ing into the path of movement of the pack so that each blank, such as the blank indicated at l3 in Figure 9, as it reaches the end of the, pack, is engaged along its vertical edges by the pack retainers and thus held in position until removed pack retainers by the suction device hereinafter to be described. 1

The pack advancing member ID is mounted upon a base l0 which is slidable longitudinally of the magazine, a helical tension spring 15 being provided to constantly urge the pack advancing member I 0 toward the pack retainers It so that the pack is constantly fed in such manner that the end, container l3 will engage the pack retainers, the left-hand end of spring I 5 being attached to the frame of the machine and its right-hand end (Figure 1) on line 1 1 of Figure 5;,

positions by full and In its details the retainers II projectbeing attached to the pack advancing member I 0. Mounted upon frame i which supports the pack advancing member, so as to be revoluble about a vertical axis, is a retaining hook it which, when occupying the position in which it is shown in full lines in Figure 1, freely permits advancing movement of the pack advancing member ill but which may be turned to the position in which it is shown in dotted lines so as to engage the stationary vertically disposed pin l1 and thus prevent the member ill from advancing under the influence of the spring. By means of the hook member IS the member ill may thus be anchored and it will be so anchored after one pack has been exhausted and during the time that the operator is inserting a fresh pack in the magazine.

The blank I: which for the moment occupies the end position in the pack may be engaged by one or more suction elements 20, bowed outwardly, and pulled ,past the retainers il so that it is entirely free of the magazine, then advanced in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 1) past abutment devices which eflect the squaring-out thereof, and eventually introduced into the upper end of a chute which is generally indicated by the numeral C in Figure 1. At that point it is released by the suction elements which are then returned to a position in front of the end of the pack of blanks B and in readiness to engage the next succeeding end blank i3, to repeat the cycle of operations. Each suction element is mounted upon the end of a horizontally disposed arm ii, of which there are three, the opposite ends of these arms being attached to, preferably formed integral with, a vertical riser 22 which is in turn carried by a horizontally extending tubular member 23 slidably mounted upon a horizontally extending rod 24 the ends of which are affixed in apertures formed in the wall of a hollow turret member 25. The suction cups 20 may be of any character well known in the art, and the arms 2| and the riser 22 are apertured or bored out to provide channels in which a sub-atmospheric pressure, and atmospheric or greater than atmospheric pressure, may alternately exist, the channel in the vertical riser 22 being in communication with a vacuum pump (not illustrated) through a channel formed in the fitting 28, the flexible conduit 21, fitting 2! and a conduit 2! which leads to the vacuum pump or the like through a suitable valve means which insures the establishment of a sub-atmospheric pressure in each suction device 20', and the reestablishment ofatmospheric or' greater than atmospheric pressure in each such device, at precisely timed periods in the cycle of operation of the mechanism.

The suction devices are advanced and retracted as the mechanism functions, being advanced to engage a collapsed tubular blank in the position of blank l3 of Figure 9, thereafter fully retracted toward the turret to withdraw the blank, remaining retracted until the turret has been turned to the position in which it has been shown in full lines in Figure 1, then advanced so as to project the squared-out blank into the chute C, thereafter partially retracted and remaining partially retracted until returned to its first position immediately in front of the magazine, the cycle being shown by the series of rather diagrammatic Figures to 15, inclusive, the turret 25 being shown in Figure 10 in its initial position with the suction devices 2|! partially retracted but in readiness to be fully advanced toward the r magazine to engage the outside blank l3, Figure 11 showing the suction devices in engagement with the outside blank, Figurel2 showing these devices fully retracted with the seized blank partially opened by contact with the stationary camlike member 30, Figure 13 showing the turret disposed at an angle of to its former position, the suction device is still retracted but in readiness to be extended, Figure 14 showing the suction devices extended and at the completion of the operation by means of which the squaredout blank is thrust into the chute, Figure 15 showing the suction devices in partially retracted position and the turret in readiness to be revolved to the position in which it is shown in Figure 10.

In its movement from the magazine M to the chute C the blank occupies a number of successive ositions and in the drawings, particularly in Figures 1, 8 and 12, 13 and 14, certain successive positions of the blank are indicated by the numerals i3, i3a, l3b, l3c, lid, He, II], and I30, respectively, the blank of position Ila being fully positioned in the chute and the blank of position It being the end blank of the magazine, as previously mentioned. The blanks of the pack are shown to be inverted, i. e., foldable top portions lowermost and bottom flaps uppermost, since the squared-out blanks are to be inserted in the chute while so positioned.

When the blank is initially withdrawn from the magazine it is in collapsed condition and will remain in substantially collapsed condition until the end flap 3|, which is one of the terminal flaps of the foldable upper end closures of the container, comes into contact with the cam-like stationary abutment member 30, whereupon this flap and the panel from which it depends is held stationary momentarily while the engaged forward panel of the blank moves toward the turret as the suction elements are retracted, the eflect being to cause the blank to open into the position in which it is shown at I30 in Figure B.

Thereafter movement of the turret in a counterclockwise direction (Figure 8), is commenced, the leading corner of the partially opened blank striking the vertical surface 35a of the angularly disposed abutment plate 35 and sliding outwardly along surface 35a, until it strikes the limiting rib 35b, whereupon the sliding movement of the corner of the blank is halted. As the turret continues to move the blank will be first squared-out to the position in which it is shown at I30 and, almost immediately thereafter, will be contracted, in the reverse direction, as the turret continues its movement, the rounded corner 350 of the abutment 35 being slidably engaged by the side wall surfaces of the container as the turret moves, the blank in its movement past the comer of the abutment being very nearly completely collapsed in the reverse direction, as indicated at life in Figure 1, thus breaking down the fibers along the parallel scorings at the corners of the blank somewhat and lessening the tendency of the blank to resume its original form when completely released. As the turret moves further in a counterclockwise direction the trailing corner of the blank will ride along the vertical smooth surface 35d of the abutment 35, but'will finally disengage the abutment and return to approximately a fully squared-out position. As the turret reaches the limit of its movement the corner of the blank engages the extension of one side 36 of the chute C and is fully squared-out, as it is shown in position I31. The suction devices are then projected from the turret and the blank is caused to enter posed in parallel relationship and together comprising a guide through which a squared-out blank such as indicated in position Hg, may be advanced by mean of a pusher P. Opposed resilient blank-retaining members are indicated at 38 and 39, respectively, these members having inclined portions 38a and 39a which are adapted to be engaged by the forward corners of the advancing container as it is moved into the chute, and to be deflected laterally by the container so as to permit the entry of the container into the chute, thereafter resuming the positions in which they are shown in Figure 1, locking the container within the chute. After introduction of the container into the chute in this manner the action of the suction cups is discontinued, the container released, and the suction elements retracted and repositioned so as to engage a fresh container to be squared-out.

The pusher P comprises a pusher head 40 movable axially of the chute, and a container blank engaging plate 4| yieldably supported upon the pusher head. The head. is supported upon an arm 42 which is attached to one vertical reach of the pusher chain 43 which passes around upper and lower sprockets arranged in vertically superposed relationship, portion of the lower sprocket being indicated at 44. In theoperation of the mechanism the pusher head is operated.

in timed relationship to the turret so as to descend through the chute C after a squared-out container has been placed in the chute, pushing the container before it, and thereafter returning to its original position to advance a succeeding squared-out container.

The means for actuating the pusher, the turret 25, and the suction elements 20 in timed relationship so as to be effective in carrying out the sequence of blank squaring-out operations previously referred to, will now be described. Power for accomplishing the movements of the several parts is taken from a vertical shaft 60 which revolves at uniform velocity in one direction at all times, being operatively connected to the main power shaft of the machine. clamped upon the upper end of shaft 60 is a split sleeve Bl which carries a radially extending arm 62. Mounted upon the outer end of the radial arm 82 is a pin 63 and connected to this pin by means of links 64 and 65, respectively, are two slides indicated at 56 and 61, respectively, these slides being supported in suitable manner upon appropriate portions of the frame of the machine. Slide 8'! has mounted thereon a rack 61 the teeth of which mesh with those of a pinion 68 fixed upon a short shaft 69 which carries the lower sprocket 44, reciprocation of the rack 81, therefore, resulting in rotation of sprocket 44 and advancement and retraction of the pusher-carrying chain 43. 7

Slide 66 is toothed and the teeth of this racklike member are'in mesh with those of a pinion 10 fixed on the lower end of a short vertical shaft II rotatab ly supported in a sleeve-like bearing member I! upon which the supporting hub I3 of the turret 25 is rotatably mounted. At its upper end shaft 1| carries an arm 15, shaped as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 10 to 15, inclusive, thearm carrying at its outer end a pin 16 encircled by a roller 11 which lies in the horizontally extending .trackway formed in the member II rigidly attached to the tubular member 23 previously referred to. Anti-friction means 19 interposed between the roller I1 and the opposed walls of trackway ll permit free movement of roller 11 longitudinally of the trackway, the trackway comprising in reality a cross head along which the pin 10 moves as the arm 15 is revolved in a horizontal plane about the axis of spindle or short vertical shaft I I.

Advancement and retraction of the suctionelements 20 is not only effected by rotation of shaft II, but the turret 25 is likewise moved'in timed relationship to the other parts by the action of this arm. It will be observed that the turret is provided with a fixed upwardly extending pin 80, which is encircled .by a sleeve-like wearing member 8| which lies in the plane of arm, 15. The arm 15 is provided with two oppositely facing concave bearing surfaces 15a and "b which are adapted to alternately engage the bearing member 81 of the turret. The means for revolving spindle or shaft H alternately in opposite directions is so designed that the arm 15 attached to its upper end will be revolved through an angle greater than 365" both in its forward movement and in its reverse movement. Thus it will revolve from the position in which it is shownin Figure 10, in a counterclockwise direction, to the position in which it is shown in Figure 13, moving the pin Ill from the position in which it is shown in Figure 12, through an angle of to the position in which this pin is shown in Figure 13, the turret being thereby rotated in a counterclockwise direction through an angle of 90. V

Next thearm is rotated in a clockwise direction to engage the pin as shown in Figure 15 and to move this pin to the position in which it is shown in Figure 10, thus returning the turret to its original position. The direction of movement of the arm 15 is then again reversed by the actuating mechanism and the turret turned 90 in the reverse direction. Inasmuch as the movements of the suction devices 20 are also controlled by the arm 15 these suction elements will be advanced and retracted in timed relationship to the movements of the turret. The pusher P will also, as previously explained, act to advance a squared-out container along the chute C at the proper instants i.

The mechanism described is of simplenature, of rugged character, capable of functioning for -long period of time with slight attention and the blank squaring-out operation which it accomplishes is performed with great speed and accuracy. a

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a container fabricating machine, in combination, a magazine for retaining a plurality of collapsed tubular container blanks in pack formation, and means for withdrawing containerblanks singly from the end of the pack and opening the same, said means including a suction device for engaging the end blank of the pack, withdrawing the blank from the pack, and then advancing it laterally, and an abutment member having a surface disposed to intercept and deflect the leading corner of the blank and a terminal rib for limiting the sliding movement of such leading corner \over such surface.

2. In a container fabricating machine, in combination, a magazine, for retaining a plurality 7 of collapsed tubular container blanks {in Back formation, and means for withdrawing container blanks singly from the end of the pack and opening the same, said means including a plurality of stationary abutments, one disposed in the path of movement of a lower end flap of each successive blank and a second to be engaged by the edge and side wall surfaces of the blank, said second abutment being substantially L-shaped in horizontal section with one face substantially parallel to the path of movement of the blank and another face transverse to such path of movement, said last mentioned face terminating in a vertical rib which constitutes a stop for limiting the sliding movement of the edge of a container blank.

3. In a container fabricating machine, in combination, a magazine for collapsed tubular container blanks arranged in pack formation, a container receiving chute, means for removing blanks singly from the magazine, squaring them out, and introducing them successively into the chute, said chute comprising rigid guides for the squared out containers and resilient devices having portions extending into the path of movement of containers entering the chute, said portions being laterally defiectable by an entering container and thereafter resuming their original positions and preventing escape of the container laterally from the chute.

4. In a container fabricating machine, in combination, a magazine for a pack of collapsed tubular blanks, a chute into which the blanks are to be introduced, after having been squared out, and means for withdrawing single blanks from the magazine, squaring them out, and introducing each into the chute, said means comprising a suction device, a mount for the suction device whereby said device may be rotated about an axis and moved radially toward and away from such axis, and mechanism for rotating and radially moving said suction device comprising a shaft coaxial with said axis, an arm on said shaft, interengaging elements on the arm and device, respectively, whereby the device is moved radially when the shaft is rotated, and interengaging elements on the arm and mount whereby the mount may be rotated by the arm.

5. In a container fabricating machine, in combination, a magazine for a pack of collapsed tubular blanks, a chute into which the blanks are to be introduced after having been squared out, and means for withdrawing single blanks from the magazine, squaring them out and introducing each into the chute, said means comprising a suction device, a mount for the suction device whereby said device may be rotated about an axis and moved radially toward and away from such axis, and mechanism for rotating and radially moving said suction device comprising a shaft coaxial with said axis, a connection between the shaft and device whereby the device is reciprocated radially of said axis when the shaft is rotated, and a connection between the shaft and mount whereby the mount and device are rotated about said axis.

6. In a container fabricating machine, in combination, a magazine for a pack of collapsed tubular blanks, a chute into which the blanks are to be introduced after having been squared out, and means for Withdrawing single blanks from the magazine, squaring themout and introducing each into the chute, said means comprising a suction device, a mount for the suction device whereby said device may be rotated about an axis and moved radially toward and away from such axis, and mechanism for rotating and radially moving said suction device comprising a shaft coaxial with said axis, means for rotating said shaft in opposite directions, a connection between said shaft and device whereby the device is reciprocated when the shaft is rotated and a connection between the shaft and mount whereby the mount is oscillated through a predetermined angle during a complete cycle of movements of the shaft.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which the mount is oscillated through an angle substantially smaller than that through which the shaft is rotated.

8. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which the mount is oscillated through an angle of when the shaft is oscillated through an angle greater than 360.

9. The combination set forth in claim 6 in which said shaft is driven from a power shaft constantly revolving in one direction through mechanism for changing such motion into oscillatory motion.

CHARLES Z. MONROE. 

